Longitudinal cephalometric growth of 9 - 11 years normal occlusion Iranian children (Qazvin city, 1996-1998)

Background: Growth and development of skeleton has a great effect on from and shape of body and face. Skeletal growth of the jaws is a complex process and there has been different methods for its evaluation. One of these methods is longitudinal analysis of serial cephalograms. Objectives: Assessment of overall growth of face in 9 to 11 years normal occlusion Iranian children in Qazvin city from 1996 to 1998. Methods: This study was conducted on 60 students between 9 to 11 years with normal occlusion in Qazvin city. NHP lateral cephalograms were taken from children and after mean time of 562, 8 days follow up, another cephalogram was taken. These two radiographs were superimposed on the optimum adaptation on cranial base. The middle point of the right and left greater sphenoidal wing shadow was the registration point.The growth increments of 7 soft tissues, 11 hard tissues and 4 dental landmarks based on true vertical was calculated. To detect the effect of age and sex on measurement, analysis of variance was performed. Findings: Soft tissue landmarks had a downward forward growth direction. In hard tissue, the growth direction was: Nasion upward forward, maxilla and mandible downward forward and posterior maxilla downward forward and posterior mandible downward backward. Interincisal angle was decreased. Conclusion: In these years children no differences were seen between sexes after two years follow up. Also in these years no significant difference was seen in growth increments between the two age groups.